Australian softwood plantations (mostly pine) take around 25–30 years to grow before they are harvested for timber. Until recently, growers had to wait until harvest to know whether the wood would be strong and suitable for building. Now, thanks to our research, you can effectively peek into the future to make better decisions about how long to grow the trees, how to manage them, or which areas of the plantation have the highest value.

Invasive pests and diseases are one of the greatest threats to forests worldwide, undermining livelihoods, food security and regional economies. At the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Forest Research Institute, researchers are tackling this challenge at multiple levels — from supporting farmers to manage outbreaks already damaging tree crops, to building regional biosecurity systems that prevent future incursions. Together, these projects show how practical science and strong partnerships protect forests, communities and futures.

The Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) Centre for Sustainable Futures, housed at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), has awarded $1.5 million in funding to support a new research project that will accelerate automation in Australia’s plantation forestry sector.